Common Infectious Horse Diseases

Common Infectious Horse Diseases
Hannah Parish
There are many infectious diseases that affect horses. Each disease affects a specific system in the body. The most common diseases affecting the neurological and respiratory systems are Equine Encephalomyelitis, West Nile Virus, Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, Equine Influenza, Equine Infectious Anemia, Equine Viral Rhinopneumonitis (Herpes Virus-1), Strangles, and Equine Viral Arteritis. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of these diseases can provide horse owners a possible recourse for treatment and improving the horses’ quality of life. Transmission of diseases occurs in multiple forms with various modes and intermediate vectors. General knowledge of these diseases and prevention can provide the first step in maintaining horse health.

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